5 Crucial Time Management Strategies for New Managers

While receiving a promotion to become a manager is an exciting career step, many new managers aren’t aware of the time management challenges that they will face in the role. As a new manager that wants to make good impression, it can be tempting to try to do it all. However, taking on more than you’re capable of handling can lead to unnecessary stress and new manager burnout.

Making time management a priority is your best defence. Here are five strategies to implement to make you a more productive (and less stressed!) manager:

1. Realize that you don’t have to take on every assignment that comes your way.

Some of the best advice that you’ll hear as a new manager is to learn how to say “no.” In an effort to make a good impression, it can be tempting to accept every assignment that comes your way. However, if the assignment is not mission-critical to your team, it’s in your best interest to say “no” and spend your time making a meaningful impact.

2. Determine the need for the meeting before accepting the invitation.

If you’re not careful, you’re calendar can quickly overflow with meetings. Learning to be selective with which meetings you attend is a crucial time management skill that new managers must master. Before accepting a meeting request, determine if it’s absolutely necessary to meet or if the issue could be resolved with an email. If a meeting is merited, prepare an agenda to keep the meeting on task.

3. Regularly clean up your calendar.

Do you have re-occurring meetings on your calendar that are no longer relevant? Look for opportunities to free up time on your calendar to maximize your level of productivity.

4. Don’t let your email inbox dictate your day.

With so many emails arriving in your inbox throughout the day, it can be easy to have your emails dictate your “to-do” list. As a best practice, establish set times throughout your work day to check email so that you can stay focused on the job.

5. Learn to delegate objectives instead of tasks.

By delegating objectives, you will give employees a sense of ownership of their responsibilities. Taking this approach will allow you to have more time to take care of mission-critical duties.

New managers are often faced with a long to do list, and not enough time to get everything done. By carefully managing your time, you can still be productive while also preventing burnout.